Italy and its ally the United states are united by their shared history, heritage and values, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio told a virtual event on Tuesday marking 160 years of bilateral diplomatic ties.
"Italy and the United States have a shared history and a common heritage," Di Maio stated.
"The values of democracy, liberty, universal human rights, freedom of religion and of belief, the rule of law, and free and fair trade, are the basis of our societies and the principles that guide our actions on the world stage."
Di Maio is on a two-day visit to Washington that coincides with the 160th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Italy and the US.
